Self-sensing of flexural strain and damage in carbon fiber polymer-matrix composite by electrical resistance measurement

The self-sensing of flexural strain and damage has been demonstrated in carbon fiber polymer-matrix composite by measuring the DC electrical resistance. Upon strain in the elastic regime, the compression surface resistance decreases reversibly (due to increase in the current penetration), while the tension surface resistance increases reversibly (due to decrease in the current penetration), and the oblique resistance increases reversibly. Upon minor damage, (i) the oblique resistance after unloading decreases, (ii) the oblique resistance decreases during load increase near the start of loading, and (iii) the curve of the oblique resistance or the resistance of the tension or compression surface vs. deflection becomes nonlinear. Upon major damage, all resistances abruptly and irreversibly increase, such that the onset occurs earlier for the compression surface resistance and the oblique resistance than the tension surface resistance. The surface resistances are superior indicators of strain, whereas the oblique resistance is a superior indicator of damage.